Registration of a Foreigner
This document has details on how to register your child who has a foreign passport. This assumes that the parents are both Indian Citizens. And the child is a citizen of the United States of America on account of being born there.
There might be slight changes in the process if the child was born elsewhere.
This also assumes the child is less than 18 years of age. Again, the process might be different for older children.
FAQ
My child is less than 18 years of age but not an Indian Citizen. Does he / she need to be registered?
Yes.
My child has a PIO card. Does he / she still need to be registered?
Yes. In fact the last page of the PIO card clearly mentions this.
My child has an OCI card. Does he / she still need to be registered?
I don’t think so. Check what the OCI card says.
Does my child need to be present for the registration?
Yes, the presence of the child is mandatory. Once you submit the application, it typically takes a couple of hours to process. The child can leave once you submit the application. And you can pick up the passport with the stamp on it. This can also be done the next day.
What are the documents required to register the first time?
Financial Guarantee Certificate on a Rs.20 stamp paper (details later in the document) and a copy of it
Five copies of the Registration Certificate Form (can be downloaded from the site, make sure you print the second page of the form also even though it has no fields to be filled up)
Five recent passport size photographs of your child
Two copies of SB-Form 1 (can be downloaded from the site)
Two copies of the old passport (if the passport was renewed from the time of the last registration)
Two copies of the new passport.
Two copies of the PIO card.
Two copies of the mother’s passport
Two copies of the father’s passport
What are the documents required to extend the registration?
Financial Guarantee Certificate on a Rs.20 stamp paper (details later in the document) and a copy of it
Letter to the Police Commissioner requesting an extension (details later in the document)
Two copies of the old passport (if the passport was renewed from the time of the last registration)
Two copies of the new passport.
Two copies of the PIO card.
What is the end result of this process?
They will stamp the passport saying how long this registration is applicable.
(Earlier, they used to give a separate sheet of paper. But now they just stamp your passport.)
Where in Bangalore do I do this?
At the Police Commissioner’s Office, FRO division, situated on Infantry Road.
Is there a place near the Bangalore FRO where I can get Xerox copies if necessary?
Yes, there is a Xerox place right opposite. But since it is the only one at a convenient distance from the FRO, it can get really crowded when the FRO is crowded.
Where can I get more information?
When they say two copies of the stamp paper, do they mean 2 stamp papers or do they mean one stamp paper and one copy?
They mean one stamp paper, notarized and signed. And then a copy of it.
Where do I get a stamp paper?
This is a difficult process these days. You get a stamp paper only in branches of State Bank of Mysore. Not all branches have this facility. Each bank has its own time when they do this. Some branches give out only 50 and 100 Rs. Stamp paper and not 20 Rupees stamp paper.
Your best bet in Bangalore is the SBM bank in MG road near the Deccan Herald office, because they have an extended time and multiple counters catering to this. Even so, be prepared for a long queue.
You can send someone else to do this. But you will need to fill out a form / similar to the one you fill out in a Bank for a challan / DD. The stamp paper is taken in your name, not in the name of the FRO.
And there is a Rs.5 fee in addition to the value of the stamp paper. So for a Rs.20 stamp paper, you pay Rs.25.
Is the FRO office open on Saturdays?
Yes, FRO is closed based on the state government holidays. They are open all Saturdays except second Saturdays.
How long is the registration valid?
Usually for 6 months. They use the passport expiry date as a guide. You will need to re-register every time the passport is renewed which for kids is usually every 5 years.
How long does this process usually take?
About 4 hours, assuming you have all your papers in order.
When do people look for this stamp on your passport?
When you take the child out of the country – even on vacations. Or bring him/her back into the country.
What should the letter to the Commissioner of Police for extension look like?
A format is given below.
From
_____________
_____________
To
The Commissioner of Police
FRO
Bangalore
Sir –
Request for Extension
My son / daughter __________________ is a citizen of _________________.
His / Her passport number is ______________. It was issued on _____________ and expires on _________________.
His / Her PIO card number is _______________. It was issued on _____________ and expires on _________________.
I request you to please grant him/her extension on her registration.
Bangalore Thanking you,
<Date> Yours sincerely,
<Parents signature>